Megaesophagus

[Halli's Mom]

I know some of you must have some experience with Megaesophagus. Jasmine has just been diagnosed with it after a very difficult several months of pneumonia, regurgitation of food and water, aspiration pneumonia again....and three days in the hospital.

Jasmine is my EPI dog as well, so the feeding has to just get more and more complicated, doesn't it?

I need guidance here - what do you feed? How do you feed? Do I need to get this Bailey Chair?

 

[Lori]

Sorry to hear of the diagnosis, but now at least you have an answer. I know of a rescue that took in a puppy with a lot of problems, one being Mega-E. He is doing fantastic now. Here's his story:

http://www.noahs-arks.net/RESCUE/PORTER.html

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I friend of mine built a chair himself for his lab that was recently diagnosed. I'll see if I can reach out to him for any info. Sorry to hear she can't catch a break. I'm not sure of any special food. Last I spoke with him (just before Christmas) he had only been using it for a few months and only thing I remember was very slow and I think he mentioned often feedings.

 

[Halli's Mom]

My husband built a Bailey Chair yesterday with plans he found on the Internet. Perhaps a small redesign is in order, as Jasmine jumped out of it. Sigh....This is going to be fun. I think I could deal with it a lot better if I didn't have a full time job.....but there isn't anything I can do about that unfortunately...

 

[Bluedog]

I'm so sorry, Paula. I know you've been through so much with Jasmine already. We had issues with Emmy with her LP and cricophyngeal achalasia, which caused similar issues as Mega E...aspiration pneumonia, regurgitation, the whole nine yards...All complication from Myositis. She also developed Mega E later on. I know a lot of info out there suggest feeding a more liquid form of diet for Mega E. Just an FYI, depending on the individual dog, more liquid or soft diets sometimes don't work as far as preventing aspiration and regurgitation. With Emmy it worked better to grind her kibble in a food processor, then mix that with canned and some water to make meatballs. We then hand feed the meatballs one at a time while she was in a sitting position. Just a thought as you go through this process. Hugs to you and your girl...I know how hard it is...believe me.

 

[Halli's Mom]

Thanks - we are working through it. The next 4 weeks will be the hardest I think while she gets over the Aspiration Pneumonia and they will (hopefully) start weening her off the prednisone. Yesterday we noticed her bark went from a deep bark to a high pitched howly bark, and that is an indication the underlying cause may be Myasthenia Gravis. Just great...one more thing. She gets tested for that next week.

 

[Bluedog]

Have you noticed any muscle mass loss...especially on her head? Many of the symptoms of MG and myositis are similar...muscle mass loss is a prominent symptom of Masticatory, Poly and Chronic forms of Myositis. Often, not always, Mega E or similar esophageal issues are symptoms or complications of an underlying neuro-muscular disease, like MG or Myositis. In dogs and other animals the esophagus has skeletal muscle, so can be adversely affected by these diseases. So hoping the tests come up negative for MG or similar for Jasmine.

I know this is a lot to take in right now, and I'm sure you are overwhelmed...I remember that feeling well. Hang in there and take everything one step and one day at a time. Hugs to you and Jasmine......

 

[Halli's Mom]

The one thing I noticed that makes me think she may have Myasthenia Gravis is her bark has gone from a deep bark to a higher pitched howling bark. I read that can be a symptom of MG. She's getting tested next week. I just don't know how much more bad news I can take....

 

[Bluedog]

It's also a symptom of Laryngeal Paralysis. Emmy's bark did that same change right before she went through numerous testing which led her diagnosis. They did a scope at that time that confirmed LP and also ran a battery of other tests. Since Jasmine's esophagus is affected that's not at all surprising that she may have LP as well. If you haven't already and if you can, try get her to a Neurologist.

 

[Lori]

Paula I'm so sorry you are going through all this. Chance had LP and his bark went from a deep, big dog bark to a raspy one. He also has muscle mass loss on his head. It was his cardiologist that finally made the diagnosis, even though I had been mentioning it to our regular vet.

Sending you hugs and prayers for strength.

 

[Halli's Mom]

We at lucky that all our vet specialists are 5 miles away. There is a Neurologist there. We know him from Halli's brain tumor in 2009. Sigh. I am not prepared o be dealing with this on such a young dog.

 

[jane]

I'm so sorry you and Halli are going through this. Sending lot's of good thoughts and hugs...